Should I Get a Nursing License in Each State I’m Interested in?

Q: I am planning on traveling this winter, but I am not yet sure where I want to go. Do I need to get licenses in all of the areas that I am considering before I apply for positions?

A: The winter season is the busiest time of year for travel nurses, so now is definitely the time to start planning your next adventure!

Do you have friends and family members you’ve been thinking about visiting? Are there places you’ve always dreamed of going? What is most important to you in a travel job? These are some questions to start asking yourself when you’re ready to start traveling.

When planning your next assignment, keep the licensure process for your destination in mind. Here are some helpful tips about obtaining a license in different states.

• California dreamin’: Start working on your license today. It takes six to eight weeks to obtain your California license, and most facilities in California will not consider your profile unless your license is active.
• Big Apple: New York has a lot of jobs, but it can also take up to six weeks to get license here. If this state is on your list, start working on the license now.
• Sunshine state: Everyone knows Florida is a great place to spend the winter. With hundreds of winter jobs available and beautiful weather, this state is definitely a top choice. However, the process for a Florida license takes four to six weeks, so apply now to start working there before spring.
• Ski free: If you’re tired of the warm weather and want to spend your winter skiing, know that some of the states with top ski destinations (Colorado, Utah) have very long licensure processes as well.

Additionally, obtaining a license in the following states can take four weeks or more: Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin.

But don’t panic! You don’t need to spend hundreds applying for licenses all over the country before you can travel. If several states you are interested in have long licensure processes, apply for the one that has the most jobs and is highest on your list.

There are lots of states that allow you to obtain a license in under two weeks, and many facilities there will consider you before you even apply. Consider adding some of these to your list:

• Arizona
• Connecticut
• Maine
• Maryland
• Montana
• Nevada
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Virginia
• Vermont
• Wyoming

The licensure process is an important thing to consider when looking for travel jobs. Talk to your recruiter about the states you are most interested in, but trust him or her to make suggestions about other locations as well. Ask for locations that meet everything you are looking for in a job, based on the timeframe you need and the licensure process.